The Nuggets, though, at least off the bat, don’t have that concern. At his introductory press conference with the Nuggets on Thursday, Andre Iguodala offered up a pretty frank opinion his future. He has a player option for 2013-2014 but there was no “We’ll deal with all that later” from Iguodala. From the Denver Post:

Iguodala made some news at the news conference, admitting that he wants to sign with Denver long-term. He is currently under contract for 2012-13 and has a player option for 2013-14.

“We weren’t coming into this thinking this will be a one-year deal,” Iguodala said.

Denver executives Josh Kroenke and Masai Ujiri were also at the news conference. Ujiri spoke about how the team would like to lock down “Iggy” to a long-term deal, something he will look into in the coming season.

Great, so he can get an extension and he’ll sign it and everyone’s happy! Right?

Not so much. Here’s the thing. The new CBA, under these circumstances, actually does the exact opposite of what it’s intended to do. Instead of creating a system where the logical thing is to opt in with your current team, the CBA makes it where there’s absolutely no incentive for an All-Star caliber player who’s healthy to sign an extension versus entering free agency. At that point, the most lucrative option is to re-sign with the current team, but you still have to get to free agency to get it.

See, the new CBA says that you can re-sign with your team using Bird Rights for five years. You can sign with another team for four. But it also says that an extension can only be granted for four seasons, including those left on the contract. In this instance, Iguodala would sign an extension and be under contract with the Nuggets through 2017. But if he enters free agency, he can get a contract that pays him guaranteed through 2018.

So the guaranteed money is there, and it matters.

Now, Iguodala may forgo that option just to get the thing done. Maybe he’ll do it to reward the Nuggets for their faith in him. Maybe he’ll do it so he can leave sooner but still get paid. There’s no difference in the raise structure between the five-year-max, the four-year-max, and the extension. But it doesn’t change the situation. There’s almost no incentive for Iguodala to sign an extension vs. opting out, and that point, anything can happen, even if the most money can come his way from Denver.

You probably answered “the Clippers.” Most fans do. So do most NBA referees — And everyone else. Which is why after a recent loss to Golden State, veteran Marreese Speight (a Warrior last season) pointed to the Clippers complaining about the officiating as part of the problem.

He went on to say that the scouting report is you can get in the Clippers’ heads by knocking them around a little. Which seems pretty obvious when you watch teams play them. Shockingly, Clippers coach Doc Rivers disagrees with that. Via NBCLosAngeles.com.

“The officiating thing, I don’t think, is our issue. I will say that,” said Rivers about the technical fouls. “If that were the problem, then, Golden State would be struggling. They’ve been No. 2 the last two years in techs, too. I think we need to point fingers in another direction than that.”

Doc may not like it, but Speights is right.

The Warriors do complain too much, but they also have a ring so more is forgiven. The problem for the Clippers is that reputation for complaining starts with Rivers — he complains as much or more than any coach in the league. Then it filters down through Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

Is it fair that more is forgiven with winning? Moot question. Welcome to America. The Clippers complain a lot and have yet to get past the second round with this core. And at times there standing there complaining to the referees does get in the way of them getting back into defense, and they seem to go in a funk.

The Pelicans are disappointing this season — it is Anthony Davis vs. the world down there. Which is the main reason they are 7-16 this season. While things have gotten better since Jrue Holiday‘s return, Davis is averaging a league-best 31.4 points per game, it then drops off to Holiday at 15.4, and then E'Twaun Moore at 11.1.

When a team struggles, usually that is a bad sign for the coach. Not because it’s always their fault, but because GMs choose not to fire themselves for poor roster construction. Which leads to the question: Alvin Gentry, are you concerned about your job? (Warning, NSFW)

New Orleans’ struggles are not on Gentry, certainly not completely. He’d like a roster that can play uptempo, that has depth. What he got instead was a good point guard, an elite 4/5, a rookie in Buddy Hield that maybe pans out down the line, and then… nada. And the roster Gentry has often is banged up.

If anyone is in trouble, it is GM Dell Demps. Remember, Danny Ferry was hired last summer for the vague role of “special advisor.” Gentry is in his second year, and the issue is the roster he was given. But the Pelicans are a patient organization that values continuity, so… who knows. But the clock is ticking on Davis;, it’s years away, but the Pelicans need to build a team around him and are far from that right now.

Jones told the Beacon Journal he will retire after next season, which will be his 15th in the NBA. His ultimate dream is to ride off after three consecutive championships in Cleveland

“I know playing 15 years is a number where I can look back and I can be like, ‘I accomplished something,’ ” Jones said. “Fourteen vs. 15 may not be much, but to be able to say I played 15 years, that’s enough for me to hang ’em up.”

Jones’ contract expires after the season, so the Cavs will have a say in whether he returns. Safe to say if LeBron wants him back, Jones will be back.

But the Heat got into trouble relying on washed-up veterans around LeBron, wasting valuable roster spots on players who could no longer contribute.

Is that Jones? Not yet. Though he’s out of the rotation, he has still made 11-of-12 open 3-pointers this season. There’s a role for him as spot-up shooter when Cleveland needs one.

Still, the Cavaliers ought to be mindful of Jones’ likely decline over the next year and a half. Plus, it’s not a certainty he holds to his timeline. Cavs veterans have a history of changing their mindon retirement.